Singer Emeli Sande and comedian Kevin Bridges are among the stars hoping to inspire young people through the Radio 1 Academy.

The Academy is offering more than 7,000 spaces for 16-19-year-olds to attend a programme of practical workshops, Q&A sessions, industry master classes and live music gigs.

Sir Richard Branson, Rita Ora and Biffy Clyro are among those who will be appearing at the event which runs from May 10-16 at Glasgow University's Queen Margaret Union.

The Academy is taking place ahead of Radio 1's Big Weekend 2014 which is happening on Glasgow Green on Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25, featuring bands including Kings Of Leon, Coldplay and One Direction.

Scottish comedian Kevin opened the Academy with a question and answer session before hosting a stand-up comedy workshop.

Singer songwriter Emeli also took part in a question and answer session, where she played the piano a few times to illustrate points.

The musician, who featured in the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, offered some advice to aspiring singers.

She said: "Sing everywhere, sing your own songs. If someone hears you if you are coming out with songs, you sound amazing, you have an unusual way of writing, people will see you as an artist not just someone with a great voice.

"Sing on the street, sing on talent shows, get to a point where you feel comfortable just bursting into song."

She added: "The moment when you write a song is so incredible and I just think that should be encouraged a bit more."

Other highlights include a TV acting workshop with cast members from Waterloo Road and a master class panel with Radio 1 DJ Greg James and his team.

Sir Richard and Biffy will also take part in Q&A sessions, answering questions from young people in the audience.

There will be live music with a performance by Rita while BBC Introducing will host two nights of live music from up and coming local bands.

Radio 1 will broadcast live from the Academy across the week with DJs Fearne Cotton, Scott Mills, Greg James, Charlie Sloth, Huw Stephens and Ally McCrae.

Other Radio 1 shows to come from the Academy this week will include Radio 1's Dance Anthems with Danny Howard, Radio 1's Review Show with Edith Bowman, Dan and Phil and The Radio 1 Surgery with Aled and Dr Radha, many of which will be to a live audience.

On Monday the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw will broadcast from BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay in Glasgow between 6.30am and 10am; and Phil Taggart and Alice Levine will do their show from there on Thursday May 15 from 10pm to midnight.

Sir Richard said: "It's a pleasure to have been invited to attend the Radio 1 Academy this year and I'm looking forward to meeting and hearing from some of the young people of Glasgow.

"It's a fantastic project and I hope people leave feeling inspired after the day's talks, workshops and events. It's the perfect place to share ideas, interests and hopefully pick up some advice along the way."